As it currently stands, there are three ways to score points in the NRL. Grounding the ball on the full in the opposition's in-goal for a try, kicking the ball off a tee through the goalposts for a conversion, or dropping then kicking the ball through the posts as it rises from its first bounce for a field goal.
A try is worth four points, a conversion is worth two and a field goal is worth either one or two, depending on where it was kicked from. All field goals scored from over 40m are worth two points.
Some players are try scoring freaks, take South Sydney’s Alex Johnston for example. While others possess lethal laces and can put it over the black dot from any angle.
There there’s the players who can do both. Unsurprisingly the 10 men on this list had a knack for scoring tries and converting them.
If you’ve ever wondered who has scored the most points in the NRL, then you’ve come to the right place. Here are the top 10 highest point scorers in NRL history.
10. Graham Eadie – 1,917 Points
Coming in at number 10 is legendary Manly fullback Graham Eadie. Playing for the Sea Eagles from 1971 to 1983, Eadie earned the nickname "Wombat" thanks to his stocky build and tenacity.
He was a prolific goal-kicker and try-scorer, amassing over 1,900 points in his career. Eadie also played a pivotal role in Manly's four premiership victories during the 1970s.
He also represented both Australia and New South Wales, further solidifying his reputation as one of the game's greatest fullbacks and point accumulators.
9. Mick Cronin – 1,971 Points
Playing for the Parramatta Eels from 1977 to 1986, Mick Cronin was a prolific goal-kicking center, who amassed 1,971 points during his career.
Known as "The Crow," he played a crucial role in Parramatta's golden era, helping the team secure four premierships in the 1980s.
Cronin also represented Australia and New South Wales, showcasing point scoring prowess on the representative stage.
Renowned for his accuracy and composure, he remains one of rugby league's all-time greats and a legend of the Parramatta Eels.
8. Daryl Halligan – 2,034 Points
Kiwi kicker Daryl Halligan played in the NRL during the 1990s and represented both the North Sydney Bears and Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs.
He was instrumental in the Bulldogs' 1995 premiership victory and set numerous records for goal-kicking, including being the first player to surpass 2,000 points in the NRL.
Known for innovative kicking techniques off the tee, Halligan helped usher in a generation of elite converters and remains to this day, the eighth most prolific points scorer the game has ever seen.
7. Jason Taylor – 2,107 Points
Before he became one of the more controversial coaches of the 2010s, Jason Taylor was an elite points-scoring halfback.
Playing in the NRL during the 1990s and early 2000s, Taylor represented clubs including North Sydney Bears, Western Suburbs, and Parramatta Eels, amassing a record-breaking 2,107 career points.
Renowned for his accurate goal-kicking and sharp game management, he became the NRL's all-time leading point-scorer at the time of his retirement.
These days he sits at number seven on the list of the highest point scorers in NRL history.
6. Andrew Johns – 2,176 Points
Widely regarded as one of the greatest rugby league players of all time, somewhat surprisingly, Andrew Johns is the only immortal currently on this list.
Playing as a halfback and occasionally five-eighth, Johns spent his career with the Newcastle Knights (1993–2007), leading them to two premierships in 1997 and 2001.
Renowned for his pinpoint kicking, playmaking brilliance, and goal-kicking accuracy, he amassed 2,176 career points.
Johns also excelled on the representative stage, starring for New South Wales in State of Origin and Australia in international competitions.
5. Johnathan Thurston – 2,222
Kicking off the top five highest point scorers in NRL history is Queensland Rugby League royalty Johnathan Thurston.
Playing as a halfback and five-eighth, Thurston had a stellar career with the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs and North Queensland Cowboys, leading the Cowboys to their first-ever premiership in 2015.
Renowned for his clutch goal-kicking with that trademark bend, he scored an oddly satisfying 2,222 career points.
He was also one of the main lynchpins of Queensland’s State of Origin dominance during the 2000s, helping the Cane Toads win a record eight series in a row.
4. Jarrod Crocker – 2,374 Points
Easily the most underrated player on this list, Canberra stalwart Jarrod Crocker slides into number four on the NRL’s most prolific point scorers list.
Despite the back half of his career being plagued with injuries, he still found the time to score 2,374 points in the NRL, yet still never got selected to play representative football.
Known for his reliability, resilience, and dedication to the Raiders, Croker's legacy as a Green Machine legend is firmly established.
3. Hazem El Masri – 2,418 Points
Podium time! Picking up the bronze medal of NRL point scoring, is none other than Hazem El Masri.
Affectionately known as Hazem El Magic thanks to his spellbinding goalkicking ability, Hazem played the entirety of his career with the Bulldogs.
Playing on the wing for his entire tenure in the NRL, El Masri is also one of the highest try scorers in NRL history, crossing the line 159 times in 317 games.
With 2,418 points to his name, at the time of his retirement, he was atop of this list but has since been overtaken by two different players.
2. Adam Reynolds – 2,524 Points*
The first of those is Broncos captain Adam Reynolds, who is the only player on this list who is still active.
One of the modern era’s most consistent halfbacks and goalkickers, Reynolds has announced that the 2026 NRL season will be his last.
However, should the stars align, he remains injury free and the Broncos run hot and deep, as they should, seeing as they are the Premiership favourites, there is a slight chance Reynolds could break the NRL’s all-time points scoring record.
1. Cameron Smith – 2,786 Points
Widely considered to be the greatest Rugby League player of all time, Cameron Smith is the proud owner of a slew of NRL records. One of which is being the greatest points scorer the competition has ever seen.
Known for racking up points with the boot as opposed to the ball in hand, when you kick goals for the best part of 20 years for a side that scores a lot of tries, you’re going to be up there in the pantheon of points.
He ended his career with 2,786 points, 262 more than Reynolds’ current total. With approximately 27 games at his disposal, give or take, depending on byes and how deep the Broncos go in the finals, Reynolds will need to average around 10 points a game to steal the top spot.
Can Smith hold? Or will we have a new highest point scorer come season end? Make sure to check back here at the end of the year.
*Denotes a player who is currently still active.